Juneteenth: A Deeper Look
This worksheet explores the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Juneteenth, focusing on its origins, impact, and evolving meaning in American society.
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Juneteenth: A Deeper Look
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Read each question carefully and provide thoughtful, well-reasoned answers based on your knowledge of U.S. History and Juneteenth.
1. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863. Explain why many enslaved people in Texas did not learn of their freedom until June 19, 1865, and what challenges they faced even after this announcement.
2. Which Union General arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to announce General Order No. 3, officially informing enslaved people of their freedom?
Ulysses S. Grant
William Tecumseh Sherman
Gordon Granger
George B. McClellan
3. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or .
4. The delay in the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas was largely due to the of Union troops in the state.
5. Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States in 2021.
True
False
6. Discuss the evolving significance of Juneteenth in American society, from its origins as a regional celebration to its recognition as a federal holiday. What does it represent today?
7. Examine the image below, which depicts an early Juneteenth celebration. Based on your understanding of the period, what can this image tell us about the initial celebrations and the hopes of newly freed African Americans?
8. Match the term on the left with its description on the right.
a. General Order No. 3
i. The executive order that declared enslaved people in Confederate states free.
b. Freedman's Bureau
ii. The announcement made in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
c. Emancipation Proclamation
iii. An agency established to aid former slaves and poor whites in the South after the Civil War.
9. Analyze the ongoing debates surrounding the commemoration of Juneteenth. What are some of the different perspectives on its celebration, and how do these perspectives reflect broader discussions about race, history, and national identity in the United States?